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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-20189

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recently published figures, which record that, since 2015, six women have been killed by an abusive partner, ex-partner or stalker whom they had previously reported to Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government strongly condemns violence against women and girls, and is committed to preventing and eradicating it.

The Equally Safe Delivery Plan, published last year within the 16 days of activism, includes a commitment to develop multi-agency domestic homicide reviews with Police Scotland and partners including learning from practice from other jurisdictions. In addition, the delivery plan supports the recent roll out of the innovative Caledonian System domestic abuse programme to a further 6 local authorities so that more male perpetrators of domestic abuse can receive specific rehabilitation services, and further tragedies can be prevented.

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act passed in February creates a specific offence of domestic abuse. The new offence which comes into force next year will cover not just physical abuse but also other forms of psychological abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour. A national campaign to raise awareness of the domestic abuse offence will follow with the unequivocal message that domestic abuse is completely unacceptable and that victims who come forward will be supported. Police Scotland are training over 14,000 officers in to support the implementation of the Act.

Question reference: S5W-20195

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, what action it is taking to improve protection for women at risk of attack from an abusive partner, ex-partner or stalker whom they have reported to Police Scotland.

Police Scotland have established Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination processes across Scotland to identify and focus on the perpetrators who pose the greatest risk of harm to victims. This works alongside Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences which seek to protect victims perceived to be at heightened risk of harm. On 30 November, the Scottish Government published a consultation on improving multi-agency risk assessment centres for victims of domestic abuse in Scotland. The consultation closes on 2 March 2019.

The Scottish Government will also consult shortly on further protections for those at risk of domestic abuse which would provide the police and courts with new powers to impose protective orders which would ban suspected perpetrators from returning to a home they share with the person at risk while steps are taken to secure their longer-term safety.

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2019 will, when it comes into force next year, provide the police with greater powers to take action in domestic abuse cases involving psychological abuse which may be difficult to prosecute under the existing law. The Scottish Government has provided funding to Police Scotland to ensure that over 14,000 officers and staff receive face to face training on how the new legislation can support effective intervention in domestic abuse cases. In addition, the Equally Safe Delivery Plan includes an action to develop, with partners, multi-agency domestic homicide reviews.

Question reference: S5W-20107

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for paying for any works for the maintenance and upkeep of the B979 Netherley Road while it is subject to increased traffic during delays to the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

Question reference: S5W-20112

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether any penalties will be issued to Aberdeen Roads Limited as a result of delays in opening the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

Question reference: S5W-20110

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it has learned regarding contract drafting and procurement from the process for work done on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), and how these lessons will be disseminated to (a) the A96 project and (b) other major infrastructure works in the north east.

Transport Scotland records lessons learned at the end of each phase of all its projects and procurements. Recommendations made are assessed and addressed where necessary, with the lessons learned subsequently disseminated to staff during regular project reviews. Learning the lessons from previous projects will help improve both future outcomes and processes on all projects, including the A96 Dualling Programme.

Question reference: S5W-20111

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what impact there will be on future contract awards for Aberdeen Roads Limited and associated contractors as a result of delays to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

It is imperative that the tender process for any public contract is robust, non-discriminatory, fair and transparent and complies with European Union procurement legislation.

All contractors interested in bidding for future projects, including Aberdeen Roads Limited and associated contractors, must be dealt with in a non-discriminatory manner and will be subject to a strict pre-qualification process. The purpose of this is to ascertain if they are able to satisfy the required levels of economic and financial standing, and possess the necessary technical and professional ability required to participate in the tender process. Where possible, past performance will be considered as part of the pre-qualification process.

Both the pre-qualification and the final tender submissions from all contractors will be rigorously assessed, and will also be subject to stringent governance procedures.

Question reference: S5O-02696

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 December 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the clear-up rate for housebreakings is.

Question reference: S5W-20097

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the report by the Auditor General, The 2017/18 audit of the Scottish Police Authority, that, during 2017-18, Police Scotland spent (a) £4.3 millionon consultancy fees and (b) £4 million on agency staff, and what ministerial involvement there was with the decisions that led to this expenditure.

Scottish Ministers allocate funding to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to allow it to maintain policing in Scotland.

It is for the Scottish Police Authority to prioritise its financial resources, ensuring this is done in line with guidance contained within the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

The Scottish Government welcomes the Auditor General’s view that the SPA and Police Scotland must have arrangements in place to monitor spend against these contracts, and ensure that the planned benefits and knowledge transfer and the desired contribution to the organisation’s strategic objectives are achieved, to enable spend on consultancy and agency staff to reduce in future years.

Question reference: S5W-20095

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment in the report by the Auditor General, The 2017/18 audit of the Scottish Police Authority, that there has been “insufficient progress” in developing Police Scotland’s workforce and estates strategies.

While this is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), the Scottish Government notes the Auditor General’s view and welcomes the work underway to address the issues highlighted.

The Police Scotland Estates Strategy was approved by the SPA Board in June 2015 and is currently being revised and updated to ensure alignment with wider transformation taking place across the service. This work is expected to be completed by the end of March 2019.

The Police Scotland People Strategy was presented to the SPA Board in August 2018 and the service is expects to consult key stakeholders on a draft Workforce strategy by the end of March 2019.

Question reference: S5W-20099

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment in the report by the Auditor General, The 2017/18 audit of the Scottish Police Authority, regarding the BTP merger that "Given the range of transformational challenges facing the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland there is a risk that the ongoing uncertainty continues to absorb resources at the expense of wider strategic objectives".

On 27 August, I announced that we would re-examine all options for the devolution of railway policing, recognising the pressing need to fully examine appropriate interim arrangements. I explained to the Justice Committee on 18 September and I announced during that meeting that I would update Parliament on progress before the Christmas recess.

We will continue to support the SPA and Police Scotland to deliver transformation and to ensure strong financial planning going forward.